Blog Archives

Cause This is Thriller!

10/31/2014

To this day, one of my favorite Halloween’s involved an army of zombiefied women and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” In 2013 I had the privilege of organizing a flash mob for the streets of Oakland via the one and only Hipline dance studio. Stopping traffic, playing tribute to Mr. MJ, and being joined by an amazing group of dancing women on ghouls night was epic. “Thriller” now holds a place in my heart. Here is why it holds a place in the worlds:

…cause this is THRILLER!
By Ziva Emtiyaz

With Halloween around the corner, the festivities are brewing and Michael Jackson’s 1983 hit “Thriller” can be heard blaring in dance studios worldwide. The horror themed pop song was used to produce one of the most influential music videos of all time... ...let’s dig up some of its lesser-known details and shine some light on its dark and chilling dance! READ MORE

0 Comments

You Spin Me Round, Right Round...

10/17/2014

0 Comments

One of the most requested help topics I get from dance students is how to turn. Whether it be how to nail multiple spins in a bellydance routine or some basic swivels in a Ballroom partnership, turning gives people trouble! Here’s the low down on getting “turned up!”

Turning Tips & Tricks
By Ziva Emtiyaz
One of the reasons why dance is so fun to do and so exciting to watch is because of its multidirectional quality. Spins and turns make up some of the foundational elements of dancing. They can be used artistically to visually accent a change in the music, to evoke a mood, or even to inspire the feeling of flight. They can also be used... FULL ARTICLE HERE.

0 Comments

Kiz-om-what?! - Emerging Dance in Southern California and Abroad

10/12/2014

0 Comments

It’s a great big world out there. While I’d like to think I have a strong foundation of dance knowledge, there are new dance forms developing and older forms evolving that I don't even know exist. Getting familiar with the Orange County and Los Angeles County Dance scene, I’ve seen the word “Kizomba” pop up on fliers promoting Salsa and Bachata events. Kiz-om-what?! Read on to find out what I discovered about this emerging dance:

Kiz-om-what?!
By Ziva Emityaz

Intimate, sensual, romantic. These are a few of the words that come to mind when watching two dancers engage in Kizomba. Kiz-om-what?? Kizomba! Kizomba is both a music and dance style. The dance developed in Angloa, Africa in the 1980’s, but is said to have evolved from dance styles that are much older. Semba, the predecessor of Samba, and Zouk from the French Caribbean Islands, have influenced Kizomba music. It’s sound is emerging as a... FULL ARTICLE HERE

0 Comments

The 411 on Social Dance Etiquette

10/4/2014

0 Comments

Social dancing in Orange and Los Angeles Counties has given me some amazing dance memories. It’s also given me some dance moments I wish I could forget. In any social setting there are unspoken rules that help us “play well with others.” Good etiquette applies to the social dance world although it sometimes feels like the unspoken rules of the dance floor need to be spoken. In fact, after a particularly uncomfortable dance night I fantasized about printing out a blog I wrote for Bella Ballroom Dance on Social Dance Etiquette and handing it out to dancers in need. While I wouldn’t actually do that, I share the 411 here on successfully getting your social dance on…

Social Dance Etiquette 101
By Ziva Emtiyaz

In any social setting we have to be considerate of others. Those in the social dance scene should know that the dance floor has it’s own set of rules and considerations. Being respectful and aware will make people enjoy accepting a dance with you instead of avoiding you, fearing a potentially unpleasant experience. Read on to get your dose of social dance etiquette 101... FULL ARTICLE HERE

0 Comments

Cause This is Thriller!

You Spin Me Round, Right Round...

Kiz-om-what?! - Emerging Dance in Southern California and Abroad

The 411 on Social Dance Etiquette

Author

Archives

Categories